EGG-PLANT. 153 



with soil similar to that formerly used, and the pots 

 are then placed where the other size stood ; of course 

 they require more room. As soon as the fertilizer in 

 the three-inch pots has been pretty well appropriated 

 by the plants, they are then transferred to a larger 

 sized, say four- inch ; some prefer six inch pots. The 

 treatment in each of these pots is similar to that given 

 in the first. It should have been mentioned, however, 

 that before shifting the plants from the smallest pot to 

 the larger that the smaller plants should be pinched 

 off, leaving one plant in the pot. Under proper ma- 

 nipulation, plants may grow to bearing-size in six-inch 

 pots, but this is not profitable in our section. Plants 

 should not be removed to the field until the soil is 

 warm and all danger of cold spells is past. 



In using flower pots for propagating egg plants 

 great care must be taken that at no time the plants 

 become checked in their growth, as this will mate- 

 rially reduce their productive properties, and con- 

 sequently prove a serious disadvantage, There are 

 are two points always to be borne in view first, that 

 fresh 'fertilizer is applied as soon as the earlier supply 

 has been used ; second, plants should not become pot- 

 bound. Under proper manipulation plants may be 

 grown in three-inch pots, from which marketable fruit 

 can be obtained in sixty days after setting out. 



SOIL AND PREPARATION. 



This plant requires good rich loam that is very 

 deep. It is a deep feeder, consequently it cannot 

 stand moist or soggy land. The plowing should be 

 deep and thorough. Any refuse material or debris, 

 also decaying vegetable matter, should be removed 

 from the field. 



Lay the field off in rows four feet apart, and set the 

 plants from two to four feet apart in the row, depend- 



